1. Team of researchers of The Hospital for Sick Children did the study on mice, which showed that exposure to good bacteria during early neonatal period leads to optimal development of gut flora that may be instrumental in preventing autoimmune disorder in genetically predisposed children.

In this study, normal gut flora from adult male mice was introduced in female mice, who were at high risk for autoimmune mediated Type 1 Diabetes. Results showed 70% reduction in the incidence of clinical disease.

Implications are exciting.

i.) It offers an explanation that why the incidence of Type 1 Diabetes could be lower among children brought up in less strict hygiene environment, such as farms, low socioeconomic status or developing countries.

ii.) It also throws light on the possibility of preventing Type 1 Diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.

2. The study accidentally explained the probable cause for women being more prone to immune disorders: The female mice who received adult male gut flora showed high levels of male hormone, testosterone. Testosterone was found to be essential in preventing the disease. This accidental finding has opened an entire new field for research:i.) Do males and females have different gut flora?

ii.) What is the role of good bacteria in sex hormone regulation?

iii.) Can sex hormone control immune mediated disorders?

3. The chances of developing allergy to certain foods was found to be higher in infants who underwent antibiotic treatment more than twice during their first year of life.

The studies presented were exciting and though provoking. The explanations for the observations were quite convincing, yet some controversies existed. Further work in the field was therefore recommended to ensure authentic correlation of antibiotic therapy induced gut flora disruption and food allergies among infants and toddlers.

Comments for Preventive Role of Gut Flora

Thank you so much for the chart and it was pretty easy to understand too. Well, I think each mother should have a look at this chart, so that they can avoid some common diseases that would affect the child.